Taiwan is happy to share its success in managing the COVID-19 pandemic and embracing digital technology with fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Forum member economies, according to Morris Chang, founder and former chairman of the world’s largest chipmaker Hsinchu City-headquartered Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co.
As the country’s envoy to the online 2020 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting Nov. 20, Chang said Taiwan has recorded only 611 confirmed coronavirus cases and seven deaths so far among a population of 23.5 million people, while timely government stimulus programs have kept the local economy on the growth track.
Through the rapid deployment of advanced digital technology to combat coronavirus, Taiwan has managed to maintain normal life in most aspects except for overseas travel, Chang said, adding such measures are likely to play ever more important roles moving forward.
He cited the use of mobile phone signals to implement an effective track-and-trace system for confirmed cases and their contacts, as well as individuals in quarantine. Digital technology has also assisted the government in setting up a real-name medical mask distribution system, he added.
No country has a complete high-tech supply chain, but Taiwan has a significant role to play in terms of semiconductor design and manufacturing, as well as engineering and assembly, Chang said. The government and people are eager to share this expertise with other APEC member economies, he added.
Since joining APEC in 1991, Taiwan has made substantial contributions to the regional economic forum. These span a broad spectrum of areas such as disaster prevention, food security, small and medium enterprise development, and women’s empowerment. (SFC-E)
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